Sunderland sign defender Brown from Man Utd

Manchester: Sunderland signed defender Wes Brown from Manchester United on Thursday with the former England international signing a four-year deal, the Premier League clubs said.

The 31-year-old will be hoping for more regular first-team action in the north-east of England after being on the fringes at Old Trafford in recent seasons.

Sunderland did not disclose the transfer fee in the statement on their website.

"(He has) a wealth of experience, including five Premier League winners` medals, two Champions League medals and having won both the FA Cup and League Cup on two occasions with United," the statement said.

Brown, who had spent his entire career at United after coming up through their youth ranks, made 361 appearances for the club and also won 23 England caps.

"In his time with us, he certainly became a favourite with the fans for his no-nonsense approach to the game and his infectious personality," United manager Alex Ferguson said in a statement on his club`s website.

"It`s always the hardest of decisions to let loyal servants go. But life moves on and, unquestionably, Wes will get the chance to make a real contribution to Steve Bruce`s Sunderland and I`m delighted to be passing him into such good hands."